Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 30, 2024
Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamkos, Jacob Trouba, Patrik Laine, and more in the Sunday NHL Post-Draft Rumor Roundup.
JAKE GUENTZEL TO THE LIGHTNING TO REPLACE STEVEN STAMKOS?
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston report league sources claim the Tampa Bay Lightning could be interested in Jake Guentzel.
The 29-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger is heading to free agency on Monday but the Hurricanes have yet to give up trying to re-sign him. Meanwhile, it appears Lightning captain Steven Stamkos will test the free-agent market.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also cited sources indicating the Lightning could pursue Guentzel should he become available when the free-agent market opens on Monday at noon ET. He also speculated the Hurricanes could trade Guentzel’s signing rights before Monday.
**UPDATE** The Carolina Hurricanes trade Jake Guentzel’s signing rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2025 third-round pick.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images).
Speaking of Stamkos, Friedman believes the Nashville Predators have the best chance of landing him. He also indicated the Lightning pitched a long-term, low-average annual value contract and a shorter one that would’ve made him eligible to sign a one-year, bonus-laden 35-plus contract.
Friedman also said the fact Stamkos had to wait so close to free agency while other teammates were taken care of in advance ruptured the relationship with management.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning appears to be looking at Guentzel as a replacement for Stamkos. If they couldn’t afford to re-sign their captain, they could struggle to win a bidding war for Guentzel. He could get offers worth over $9 million on the open market.
THE LATEST RANGERS RUMORS
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh report the New York Rangers could find it difficult to move Jacob Trouba.
Momentum appeared to build toward a trade to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Nothing materialized, and the 31-year-old defenseman may not be inclined to speed the deal along.
Trouba has a full no-movement clause until July 1, when it becomes a 15-team no-trade list. If he waits until Monday to submit his list to Rangers management, he could spike the deal by including the Wings on that list.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers trading Jacob Trouba to the Detroit Red Wings remains on hold. He wondered if that move would prompt winger Patrick Kane to re-sign with the Red Wings rather than test the UFA market.
The Rangers remain interested in the 35-year-old Kane. However, his camp continues their contract discussions with the Red Wings.
Brooks believes the Rangers would be interested in signing Steven Stamkos but he’s heard the Nashville Predators could be all-in on the Lightning winger.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Arthur Staple believes they could also look at Jake Guentzel but the Lightning may have moved to the front of the line.
Ranger goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s representatives are seeking a contract extension that would be worth 14 percent of the Rangers’ cap hit. That would be $12.9 million annually under an expected cap of $92 million for 2025-26.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shestekin holds the leverage here. Brooks observed the Rangers can’t let him simply walk out the door next summer. Losing their starting goaltender would be a big blow to their Stanley Cup hopes.
UPDATE ON PATRIK LAINE
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets haven’t been told yet if Patrik Laine has been cleared from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
The Jackets can trade the 26-year-old winger while he’s still in the program. However, clubs interested in trading for him have told Jackets management that they want to speak with Laine first.
Laine carries an average annual value of $8.7 million through 2025-26. The longer this situation goes on through the summer, the harder it’ll be to facilitate a trade as cap space evaporates around the league.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline also cited TSN’s Craig Button stumping for the Minnesota Wild to acquire Laine, suggesting he would provide them with an offensive boost.
However, the Wild have limited cap space for 2024-25. GM Bill Guerin has suggested his club might not make any major additions via trades or free agency this summer.
DEVILS INTERESTED IN TWO PENDING UFA DEFENSEMEN
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reported on “X” that the New Jersey Devils are expected to take a run at signing defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce is coming off a six-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Dillon completed a four-year deal, spending the last three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets.
LATEST ON THE PENGUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports sources claiming Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was willing to trade goaltender Tristan Jarry and winger Reilly Smith. However, he couldn’t find any takers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players coming off a down season with modified no-trade clauses and $5 million cap hits tend to be difficult to trade.
SENATORS STYMIED IN TRADE EFFORTS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Steve Staios tried to wheel and deal at the draft but couldn’t find any suitable offers for Jakob Chychrun, Mathieu Joseph, Erik Brannstrom, and Jacob Bernard-Docker in the trade market.
A restricted free agent, Brannstrom could become a UFA if the Senators don’t qualify his rights by 5 pm ET on Sunday. That could happen if he’s unwilling to accept a pay cut. It’ll cost the Senators $2 million to qualify his rights.
Limited salary-cap space could mean the Senators won’t qualify forward Parker Kelly’s rights.
Garrioch expects the Senators could target a defenseman like Brandon Montour or Matt Roy if they hit the open market on Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch indicated the Senators only have $11.5 million available. They won’t win a bidding war for Montour. They could have better luck with Roy but that depends on what the market looks like for defensemen after Montour, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce are snapped up.
UPDATE ON YAROSLAV ASKAROV
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun report the Nashville Predators will continue to listen to offers for Yaroslav Askarov. However, they’re comfortable keeping him as an understudy for Juuse Saros, whose new eight-year contract should be finalized on Monday.
The Predators also hope to add some scoring and bolster their blueline. They could pursue potential free agents like Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei and Chandler Stephenson.
As mentioned above; Laine CAN be traded while in the program.
So, here is a good offer
Smith, Hayes, Accairi, Eller, 2nd (Acquired in Hayes deal); Gruden or Broz (might have to do both)
For Laine
If Laine plays; top line of Crosby-Laine-Rackell will be good; and Pens have Cap space freed up for more moves; and get younger; bigger; stronger; better
If he remains on LTIR; Pens have dumped a ton of useless Cap; at the net expense of only Gruden or Broz
Columbus gets a 2nd; and 4 roster players; and a prospect for a player currently on LTIR; and who they seemed to have concluded moving on from anyway; and the net around $1M savings in cash commitments
Now, the above IS logical
But Dubas , as he has lost every single deal; and badly at that; will have to add a first in the deal
I’d still take that deal to rid Hayes, Accairi, Smith, Eller
if Laine can be traded while in the program, i don’t know the particulars like others on here about stuff like that, i think the Avalanche should trade Nichushkin as well. even though the Avalanche maybe at a disadvantage , i would do it. My favorite Avalanche is Nichushkin and Landeskog. Not liking the way the “big 3” have been playing in the playoffs. As great as those guys are, they don’t play enough defense on a regular basis, IMHO. However, i recognize the reality we aren’t going anywhere without them. But i think the Avalanche would be always poised to win the Cup, if they paid more attention to the defensive side of things. they don’t listen to Bednar. Colorado would do well to get a little tougher and more responsible defensively and quit blaming goaltending. Although, it wasn’t good, more time than not it was and they leave their goaltender “out to dry”
Tommy Boy
We’ll offer 4 players + prospect + 2nd for Nichuskin
Same offer i posted for Laine
Deal?
Dubas could not even move Smith which is surprising. useful middle 6 winger .
Pens best move is to move #87 for youth assets. In 2027 the Pens will be horrific with a bare cupboard. maybe even in 2026.
Shocking the powerplay with all those HOFers could not gel last year. Yes Laine on the powerplay would help them but i dont see CBJ wanting much of what the Pens can offer..
The media had speculated (“proposed”) a Smith for Laine straight up swap
I’ve offered 3 more players; plus a prospect ; plus a 2nd
But then again;sadly we have Dubas making any deals
Moving Sidney Crosby is NOT happening !!
Sadly for us
Your post has reality
Agree with you speed kills that moving Crosby is not happening
But, with the nutty moves Dubas is doing; and with the teams’ expected success next year plummeting with every Dubas move; I hate to say it, but what incentive is there for Crosby to extend?
He is a die-hard Pen; but we’re getting to the point where such a poor expected future on the horizon just may outweigh his heart
Askarov only played two games last year with Preds. Playing in AHL all year gives him more work but, with Saros signed for 8 more years they should move him. He can be a starter for someone.
Too much smoke around Trouba for a trade not to happen. I like Trouba but understand moving that cap hit. The vitriol around him in social media will only get worse if it’s true he gums up deal.
Maybe the Rangers should acquire Askarov as insurance just in case they don’t want to pay Shesterkin the ridiculous 14% of the cap that his camp might be asking for. I love Shesterkin, but there has to be a limit to what you pay a Goalie. While he steals a lot of wins for the Rangers, you still have to be able to build a team around him.
i also did not realize the Pens only have 7mil to fill out the rest of the roster
Apparently neither did Dubas
It seems like every day 8787 posts another trade proposal involving the Pens acquiring a well-known player for a large package of Acciari, Smith, arena concession grill scrapings and the remaining overstock Phil Kessel bobbleheads.
At this point I’m kinda hoping Acciari retires a Penguin and gets his jersey in the rafters alongside Lemieux.
8787
Why would Columbus want all of Pitts garbage to do them a favour if taking a disgruntled hockey player off of their hands.
I hope Trouba holds out. He has a NMC, and Rangers agreed to it. Why not buy him out? If he doesn’t agree to be moved (which he’s entitled to) They may put him on waivers. But, Trouba’s relationship w/ Rangers mgmt. is fractured forever.
His nix becomes a partial ntc tomorrow.
Interesting move on Hayes. Follows the trade of Jake to highlight where pens are at. If it creates a logjam at third line center then either Hayes with more salary retained or Eller could be moved for a pick. Smith will move after the fa dust settles to a team that missed out on there first choices. Maybe a third round pick? It was a ho hum day for the pens. Not good. Not bad.
We need to move BOTH Hayes and Eller
Smith in no way gets a 3rd (without retention)
Accairi also a mandatory punt
Pens are reeling under Dubas’ helm
You are so annoying dude. First. Eller was a fine third line center. Gave us exactly what was expected. He isn’t close to being part of the problem. Smith is a potentially good winger on an expiring deal. I could see the pens retaining a mil if it helps them get back a better asset but he is movable. Acceri was not a good signing but he also isn’t killing the team. But Dubas likes him so he’s not going nowhere. That is a valid knock on Kyle. I don’t know if Hayes was brought in to play or to flip with salary retained for another pick. But it’s an acceptable move. Stop being so melodramatic and whiny. You’re like that old snl Debbie downer sketch.
We’re all reeling at the same old refrain, Pengeighty7. Yours, that is.
LOL. Well said. “Deals” concluded with the acquiescence of someone in here belong in fantasy league scenarios
8787, i wouldn’t be so fast to beat up on Hayes? the guy was really good on the Rangers and on Philadelphia good at times but yeah he is older and slow. he has a lot of things go down in his life with his brother passing? he could be good in Pittsburgh with those skilled guys, if he gets his game back, hey who know, not that old?
Hayes of yesteryear; yep
But current Hayes; very very very slow AND at $3.6 M to play 3rd line Center; then forcing 35 year old Eller (@ $2.5 M) to 4th line ccenter is EXACTLY what Pens need to avoid
Also leaves diddly to fill out this aging , slow, small team
This was a very bad move
Armstrong laughing all the way on this one. Dumps $3.6 M Cap hit for 2 years at the low expense of a 2nd down the road
Iowa Prince, are you in agreement?
8787, I watched nearly every Blues game last year so here’s my take on Hayes.
Very good face off man, scores a goal or two once a month then completely disappears. Has no concept of where the d zone is, big enough body but not only won’t hit anybody he won’t even get in their way to slow them down. Apparently a good locker room guy always happy including when we lost. One of the biggest floaters I’ve ever seen in 60 years of watching hockey.
Armstrong brought him in for his face off ability and that’s all Hayes did. Moving him out with no salary retention is a minor miracle. This also opens cap space and ice time for younger better players. The only thing that would have made the trade better for the Blues would have been if Krug and Faulk were included. Finally on Hayes hid nickname is well earned. Lazy Haysie.
The loss of Stamkos, if it happens, may not leave the team less talented overall. Without paying him, the Bolts are well placed to add talent and depth to a competitive roster. But the pain in the fanbase might well be felt in the room as well, & John Cooper would have a difficult coaching job ahead – tho this is the kind of situation that early winning would fix quickly. The Lightning have consumed most of the best of Stamkos’ career, & if he leaves he’ll not be the first great player to fail to finish his career in a single uniform. JBB has moved to reinforce the roster & now has a bit of cap space….is this even possible if he locks Stammer down a year ago? Now that the Lightning can afford him & have reportedly made a respectable offer whatever happen is clearly his choice, and will impact how the fans see the situation.
Well there you have a 3rd to Carolina for Guentzel from TB
That’s only for negotiation rights – similar to the Leafs acquiring the negotiation rights for Tanev — if neither is signed by tomorrow both can test the UFA waters
Why do teams do that to teams for guys like Guentzel and Tanev!?Doesn t the agent owe it to his client to shop his clients deals to other bidders?
Well, it is, in fact a trade and without a NTC/NMC clause they are eligible to be moved. All it means in the end is the receiving team has a few hours before free agency kicks in to see if they can get him to sign with their offer.
Yes George, but it is the reason they were clearing cap space. I say they get it done.
According to an article minutes ago Lightning and Guentzel agreed to contract – details unknown.
8787, I feel your pain with the Penguins, but you keep putting that crap in proposed deals. If you dislike those players so much, what makes you think another team wants to take on multiple mediocre players for one much better player? Adding a 2nd or 4th or both are crap shoots.
The Penguins are screwed for many, many years to come. But….. In a few years they will probably win another lottery and get another Lemieux/Crosby to build around and win another cup. The same will probably go for Edmonton getting another Gretzky/McDavid but that will be many years after the Penguins.
With all the grief you are going through, consider yourself grateful for what you’ve been able to experience in the past with the Penguins.
It’s actually good for the league to not have the same teams continually winning.
Unfortunately Dave, the old “canoes for battleships” trade scenarios posted by fans has been around since the game was invented. And they ‘re always shocked beyond belief at the eventual realistic return and usually begin demanding the GMs head on a platter.
Great analogy George O. Lol
So Tampa now can sign Jake to an 8 yr contract.
Gonna be another 8 x8 so they can sign Stammer too??? Or does it go to closer to 8 x 9M?????
Maybe they convince Jake to leave a little on the table for that Cup run!
I read somewhere that they can only go up to 7 years because he wasn’t on the roster as of a deadline date (whereas Carolina could have gone up to 8).
How many goals can Jake score with Kuch passing to him? How much can he keep in a zero income tax state? Expect the Bolts talked to his agent before offering a 3rd. Jake probably improves the Lightning; Kuch – Point – Jake – Cirelli – Hegel – Paul all about 30 signed for next few years would bode well for a top 2 2-way lines, or mixed & matched into three with other folks. It’s still gonna be fun to go to Lightning games
I don’t think teams can sign players they simply acquire the rights to, to 8 year deals. I think 7 is the limit because the players weren’t on their new rosters before a negotiated time. (CBA)
I might be wrong….but my question is can the players double back and sign 8 year deals with the clubs they were traded from, because of the fact that they were on those rosters before the deadline?
Tanev to Dallas for 3×8?
Jake G back to Carolina for 8.5×8?
Shoreorrpark, you’re correct about the term limit on acquiring rights. However, they cannot “double back” and sign an eight year deal with the team they were traded from. If they try to sign with their former teams now, it’s no more than seven years.
Thx, Lyle.
No problem, happy to help!